BOLIVIA--Brunswick County Animal Services has suspended dog adoptions for at least two weeks after two cases of distemper were confirmed.

During the past week two dogs at the shelter developed a respiratory illness. Laboratory results confirm the cause of the illness to be distemper. Canine distemper is caused by a virus that is a highly contagious disease of wild and domestic carnivores.

Brunswick County School Superintendent Katie McGee said Monday she was surprised to learn the grievance filed against her had been made public since grievances are confidential personnel matters.

Sherry Dove, executive assistant to the superintendent and liaison to the board of education, filed a grievance against McGee, which the board of education heard during a daylong meeting Thursday, July 2. The meeting was in closed session; the board cited confidential personnel matters as the subject of discussion.

Suggs, 40, of 335 Mount Pisgah Road, Supply, is wanted for first-degree burglary and larceny after breaking and entering.

Suggs, is 5-feet-9-inches tall and weighs 200 pounds.

According to an arrest warrant, Suggs is wanted for allegedly breaking into a Supply home and stealing a purse, jewelry, a passport, checks, credit cards and medication between midnight-5 a.m. July 16.

Announcement is made of the engagement and forthcoming marriage of Shanna G. Johnson of Shallotte to Jamieka D. Elliott, who is currently stationed in Germany. The bride-elect is the daughter of Angelette G. Hill of Supply and Lacca W. Bromell of West Palm Beach, Fla. The prospective groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Bowens of Ash. The wedding will take place at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 at Waccamaw Park Community Center in Ash. A reception will follow at Waccamaw Park Community Center.

Neal and Cindy Northrup celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on July 11. They were married in Rochester, N.Y., and lived there until moving to Shallotte 15 years ago. They have three daughters and six grandchildren. While visiting Rochester, N.Y., in June they celebrated with family. On July 11, they were honored with a surprise gathering of friends at the home of Bob and Marianne Nobles in Shallotte.

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Landscape Color Field Day in Raleigh. This event got started back in the 1960s as the “bedding plant field day” and includes trials of annuals and some perennials that provide color and interest in those high-visibility places in the garden. Included are some of the highlights from checking out the color.

The appearance of many shrubs can be improved with a general pruning at this time of year. With new growth averaging 6 to 8 inches long, many evergreens are getting slightly out of bounds. Now is a good time to take hand pruners and shears to shape them.

• Individual branches and stems need to be cut to back inside the plant. This will reduce the overall size of the plant and also reshape it.